After Olympics, Wild Dealing With Uncertainty At Key Positions

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — It’s an exciting and a bit of a strange time for the Minnesota Wild, who are ready to make a push in the final 23 games, but are unsure of who will be available off the injured list.

Zach Parise, Mikael Granlund and Ryan Suter will join the team Wednesday in Edmonton, Alberta.

One Olympian who was back at practice, Nino Niederreiter, is hoping the experience boosts his NHL game.

“The experience gives you so much. Gives you a lot of energy and a lot of excitement and obviously I’m very happy to be back here,” Niederreiter said.

Now, the lingering questions for this Wild team center on goal tender and center.

Mikko Koivu continues to skate and knows he’s progressing to playing again. Although the team is not sure when that is, it looks sooner than later.

“I want to make sure I’m close to 100 percent when I do get back,” Koivu said. “We’re going to make that call closer to game time and see where we’re at.”

Darcy Kuemper is the team’s goalie for now, but no one knows the future of the position. Niklas Bäckström is not completely back, and we’re not completely sure what the issue is.

“It’s not lower body and it’s not upper body, it’s somewhere in the mid-part of the body,” head coach Mike Yeo said, smiling. “He was a little sore today. Expect him on the ice tomorrow.”

Mike Max returned to WCCO-TV as a sports reporter and anchor in April 2005. Mike is no stranger to Minnesota sports. He hosts "Sports To The Max" every weeknight from 7-9 p.m. on WCCO Radio. Prior to hosting the radio show, Mike hosted Sports...